Question

Using trigonometry ratio, what is the value of x rounded to the nearest tenth? The figure is not drawn to scale.

Answer 1

So you are given the height and you need to find the shortest leg, you have to use tangent. Tangent is opposite/hypotenuse. With this info, make an equation.

Answer 2

would it be 25/8?

Answer 3

I'm sorry, I made a mistake. It should be opposite/adjacent. The equation should be equal to tan 25. Try to make the equation once more. There will be an exponent for the adjacent side as we don't know what it is.

Answer 4

25-8=17
8+17=25
Am I on the right track?

Answer 5

Unfortunately not. The equation has to be\[\tan 25= \frac{ 8 }{ x }\] With this equation, solve for x.

Answer 6

Have you learned sine cosine and tangent?

Answer 7

Yes but I forget how

Answer 8

You use sine cosine and tangent when trying to find a missing side length in a right triangle when you are given at least two angles and only one side. Now, try to solve the equation. You have to isolate x and get it by itself.

Answer 9

Would I divide 25 by 8 and get 3.125

Answer 10

25 is not by itself, it is tan 25. Again, you have to move the numbers around to get x on one side by itself.

Answer 11

Lets pretend there is no tan 25 and it is 1 instead. How would you make it so in the equation, x is by itself without solving for x.

Answer 12

switch the tan and x

Answer 13

You are correct. Now just divide 8 and tan 25 on your graphing calculator and you should get the answer.

Answer 14

I do not have a graphing calculator

Answer 15

Umm, well that's a problem xD.

Answer 16

Okay, I do have a graphing calculator so when you do 8/tan(25) the answer is estimated to be 17.16

Answer 17

So when rounded it would be 17.2?

Answer 18

Is the question is asking for nearest tenth, then yes.

Answer 19

thank you!